Wave Climate Analysis for a Wave Energy Conversion Application in Brazil

Author(s):  
Eliab R. Beserra ◽  
Andre´ L. T. Mendes ◽  
Segen F. Estefen ◽  
Carlos E. Parente

A variety of ocean wave energy conversion devices have been proposed worldwide considering different technology and energy extraction methods. In order to support full-scale prototype design and performance assessments of a conversion scheme to be deployed on the northern coast of Brazil, a long-term wave climate analysis is under development. A 5-year pitch-roll buoy data series has been investigated through an adaptive technique to enhance spatial resolution and allow for accurate wave directionality evaluation. Device design most influential variables such as extreme significant wave height, peak period and directionality were considered. Temporal variability in wave energy levels was particularly investigated for energy resource assessment. The major findings of this work include the narrow directional amplitude of the incident wave and higher significant wave heights of locally generated waves. The estimated energy resource levels agreed well with literature, also showing little annual fluctuation. The wave climate demonstrated to be in full agreement with the large-scale Equatorial Atlantic atmospheric variability, dominated by either local wind waves or by distant storm swells.

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. McCormick

It is common practice by wave energy conversion technologists to estimate long-term wave energy potentials at both offshore and coastal sites by using established wind-wave spectral formulas. It is shown that the use of these formulas can lead to both incorrect wave energy resource estimates and improperly designed conversion systems. The formulas are shown to poorly predict modal and peak spectral periods for long-term seas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 331 ◽  
pp. 03001
Author(s):  
Setiyawan ◽  
Erwin Affandi ◽  
Lisa Arnita Anzar

Growth electricity consumption in central sulawesi encourages increased utilization of conventional resources such as petroleum products and coal as alternative energy plant. It causes some adverse effect either on the environment, health and economy. As a result, the alternative of conversion energy from non-conventional resources must be provided. Central Sulawesi with coastline about 4,013km has immense potential in developing wave energy as an alternative of Renewable Energy Resource. This paper investigated the potential for wave energy conversion in Lindau Water as an alternative of power plant by using Oscillating Water Column System (OWC). The value of significant wave height and periods are calculated based on the Wilson method, which is then analysed to determine the potential of electricity that feasible converted from wave energy in Lindau waters and potential to applicated wave energy conversion using OWC in Lindau Waters. The result found the conversion of Lindau waters wave energy produce the largest power that can be converted is about 21. 000 watts. Its shows the potential that can be applied to coverage the need electricity by using wave energy in Alindau Village.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Passaro ◽  
Mark A. Hemer ◽  
Graham D. Quartly ◽  
Christian Schwatke ◽  
Denise Dettmering ◽  
...  

AbstractCoastal studies of wave climate and evaluations of wave energy resources are mainly regional and based on the use of computationally very expensive models or a network of in-situ data. Considering the significant wave height, satellite radar altimetry provides an established global and relatively long-term source, whose coastal data are nevertheless typically flagged as unreliable within 30 km of the coast. This study exploits the reprocessing of the radar altimetry signals with a dedicated fitting algorithm to retrieve several years of significant wave height records in the coastal zone. We show significant variations in annual cycle amplitudes and mean state in the last 30 km from the coastline compared to offshore, in areas that were up to now not observable with standard radar altimetry. Consequently, a decrease in the average wave energy flux is observed. Globally, we found that the mean significant wave height at 3 km off the coast is on average 22% smaller than offshore, the amplitude of the annual cycle is reduced on average by 14% and the mean energy flux loses 38% of its offshore value.


2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Bedard

This paper summarizes the energy resource, the energy conversion technology, and the economic and social benefits of using wave energy technology. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) estimates that the U.S. wave resource potential that could credibly be harnessed is about 6.5% of the 2004 U.S. national electricity energy demand (the total 2004 demand was about 4,000 TWh). Wave energy conversion (WEC) is an emerging technology; ten WEC devices have been tested to date in natural waters worldwide over the past 10 years. The economic opportunities are significant. A relatively minor investment by government in the public good today could stimulate a worldwide industry generating billions of dollars of economic output and employing thousands of people, while using an abundant and clean natural resource to meet our energy needs. Wave energy is potentially more easily assimilated into the grid (compared to wind and solar) because it may be more accurately predictable two to three days ahead and sold as firm power. Given proper care in siting, deployment, operations, maintenance and decommissioning, wave power promises to be one of the most environmentally benign electrical generation technologies. The primary barrier to the development and use of these technologies in the U.S. is the cumbersome regulatory process. We recommend and encourage the development of an effective regulatory system that fosters the application of this environmentally friendly electricity generation technology for our society.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
P. H. Oleinik ◽  
W. C. Marques

Electrical energy has become an essential resource for mankind and, as the population and technological dependency grow, also does the electricity demand. This necessity boosted numerous studies which focus on clean and renewable energy sources. Ocean wave energy is one of the most environmentally friendly sources of energy since it does not emit pollutants to the atmosphere and does not produce harmful waste. Another positive point about ocean waves is that they are inexhaustible, therefore a power plant could, potentially, provide energy indefinitely. Hence the object of this study is to estimate the wave energy reduction caused by the presence of wave energy conversion (WEC) devices near the coastline of Laguna, Brazil. In order to study the coastal impact of a WEC farm, the third generation sea state model TOMAWAC was used to simulate the waves on the Southern Brazilian Shelf under two different conditions, with and without the presence of an array of WECs. The results show that the mean significant wave height in the blockaded area undergoes a slight drop, caused by the presence of the WECs, which do not appear in the other scenario. But this reduction of the significant wave height is negligible compared to the order of magnitude of the wave height itself.


2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. McCormick ◽  
Robert C. Murtha ◽  
Jeffrey Steinmetz

AbstractThis paper is based on the premise that “wave energy conversion” is the conversion of the energy of ocean waves into other energy forms for the benefit of the environment. By taking advantage of the diffraction focusing phenomenon, commonly associated with water wave energy conversion, a bimodal buoy called the Antenna Buoy has been developed to both attract and dissipate incident water wave energy. As a result, arrays of the buoy can be deployed to form an effective floating breakwater system. Results from a full-scale experimental study show that an array of buoys, with each buoy pair separated by about 10 body widths, can dissipate up to 65% of the incident wave energy, where the value of the energy dissipation depends on the wave frequency. To arrive at this value, the full-scale test was conducted in a vertical-walled tank, where wall reflections were from “virtual” units in an array. The full-scale model used in the study is based on the averaged wave climate in the central-to-northern waters of the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to being effective in its design operation, the bimodal buoy can be repositioned or removed, as the site situation might require.


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (32) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joris Schoolderman ◽  
Bas Reedijk ◽  
Han Vrijling ◽  
Wilfred Molenaar ◽  
Erik Ten Oever ◽  
...  

A new concept for wave energy conversion is examined as a proof of concept for generating electricity in a moderate wave climate while being integrated in a caisson breakwater. Physical model testing is performed to analyse the preliminary efficiency of the device and to identify areas of improvement. The resulting device is calculated for two sample locations in order to gain an understanding of its feasibility. Recommendations are made for continued research and possible improvements of the design.


Author(s):  
Andy Walker ◽  
Alicen Kandt ◽  
Donna Heimiller

Lighthouses and other navigational aids are situated near tumultuous seas and thus may be good candidates for early applications of wave energy conversion technologies. The U.S. Coast Guard First District is converting lighthouses’ electrical systems to solar power to divest itself of electrical submarine cables and overhead costs associated with cable maintenance. However, in some lighthouses solar conversion is impractical or may compromise historic preservation. Unless alternative energy sources become available for these locations, they will continue to use submarine cables to run on shore power. Lighthouse sites for which shoreline and wave characteristics are suitable would be good candidates for a wave energy demonstration project. This paper describes gravity wave physics and the characteristics of mechanical radiation (growth, propagation, diffraction, and shoaling). A simple expression for energy content of a wave train with a two-parameter Bretschneider spectrum is applied to spectral wave density data collected from 15 buoys to evaluate wave energy resource potential at 31 candidate lighthouse sites in New England. Annual average wave power per meter of wavecrest varied from 3.9 to 21.7 kW/m at the buoys, and from 3.9 to 9.2 kW/m (with an average of 5.0 kW/m) at the lighthouses (buoys with maximum wave power are far out to sea, but still influence the correlation). The performance characteristics of two types of wave energy conversion technologies are used to calculate annual energy delivery by way of example. The paper concludes with a discussion of economics and environmental and permitting issues. It identifies Seguin Island light off a point in Maine and Nauset Beach, Chatham, Nantucket, and Sankaty Head lights (on Nantucket Island and along the outer shore of Cape Cod) as the best sites to begin more detailed evaluations, based on a comparison of wave power and utility rates. Subsequent studies would include demand profile for lighthouses, supply profiles, and resulting storage requirements.


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